Questions about FIJI and Yasawa resorts

Hello, we will stay 7 days in Fiji before continuing to NZ next end of October and I have a previous itinerary and some question about that maybe someone could help me about them.

My first idea was spending 6 days in Yasawa Islands (Octopus+ Blue Lagoon BR) and the last day doing the Seaspray boat trip to Mamalucas. But I have been searching about these resorts in Yasawa and they apply a very restricted policy about cancellations. You have to pay the whole accommodation (meals included) at lest 20 days before your arrival and if you have to cancel with in this period, you lose all your money (meals too). It is not very fair I think, but what is ridiculous is that if you have to leave the island because a Tropical Storm or a Ciclone comes (and it could happened), then you lose your money too (meal too). (TOURIST PAY FOR THE CICLONS AND STORMS, THEY NEVER LOSE, monopoly is like that). It is the first time I see that. They say you to pay a travel insurance, but it is very rare or unusual that a travel insurance cover this kind of events. Considering that, I have thought to reduce my time in Yasawa to only 3 or 4 days and only 1 of the two resorts, so I will not be risking my whole trip in Fiji, and I will have time to visit some áreas in the main Island (Viti Levu). This are my itinerary:

1 Day: Arrival at Nadi airport (8,30 am). Trip with rental car (maybe 4x4): Koroyanitu NHP -Navala- Sigatoka (unsealed road)- Natadola beach (hotel)

2 Day: Trip to Pacific Habour (shark dive in Beqa Lagoon) - Navua river - (Suva?) - Nadi (hotel)

3 Day: Transfer to Yasawa Resort (Octopus or BLBR)

4-5 Day: Yasawa Resort

6 Day: Yasawa resort - Nadi

7 Day: Seaspray trip to Mamalucas.

My questions are:

1. Driving in Fiji is Ok? I have driving around the world (thailand, costa rica...). Is it necessary a 4x4? Specially if we drive the 90km road from Navala to Sigatoka?

2. Is it maybe better going fro Navala to Natadola coming back through Nadi main road?

3. Is Natadola a good place to lodge in southern cost? Some better place?

4. Someone have been in Koroyanitu NHP? Are treks easy doing? Is there good information about there?

5. Bull sharks are supposed to be away in October-November, is it possible to do the Shark diving at this time? Is it worth?. Some good dive company?

6. On the 2 day, is it worth going to Suva?

7. Are there easy treks (easy to find I mean) in Navua river? Worth to go there?

8. Which Yasawa resort Octopus or Blue Lagoon beach Resort? I prefer BLBR but I lose 4 hours in boat the transfers days, so nearly this 2 days.

9. I was considering the new Paradise Cove, from the same company . They have good Price but I do not know if the place is so amazing like Waya or Nacula Islands.

10. I have seen the cheaper and not so luxury WAYALAILAI ECOFRIENDLY RESORT. The place looks very nice. We could stay 2 days here and 2 days in Octupus or Paradise Cove. Some opinión?

11. We do Seaspray boat trip because we would like to see Mamanucas, but specially because we do not want to come back from Yasawa the day before we take the flight to NZ, just in case...

Thank you, if you read so long post, and if you come give some help.

Best

1. Blue Lagoon is newer and nicer. There's more to do there as well as you can explore the island on your own (at Octopus you are somewhat trapped), and there's the boat trip out to the cave.

2. Wayalailai is very basic but not bad. If you do go there, just make sure it's before Octopus or BL.

If you were planning on staying in the dorms and it's only you, then you don't need to reserve as far in advance. For Octopus & BLBR, you can probably get what you want by booking just a week in advance. For the other resorts, a day or two in advance is normally sufficient.

1- Fiji is a developing country, so the roads aren't great. Driving is ok, but you do need to pay a lot of attention when driving. There are many pot holes, stray dogs, speed humps without signs, no street lights etc. Yes, get a 4x4.
2- I would go back through Nadi main road. The interior roads are really bad so it will take you longer even though its shorter in distance.
3-The best resort in Natadola is Intercontinental. Further down is the Coral Coast, I personally like this area better than Natadola. Have a look at Warwick Resort.
5- Many people say don't go to Suva. I personally think Suva is worth a visit. If you want shopping, Suva is really the only place to shop. Many restaurants with local cuisine. Fiji Museum. Not far from Colo-I-Suva if you want to do an unguided or guided trek & see waterfall.
6- Never do treks without a guide (unless trekking in a National Forest). Many 'unmarked treks' will go through a village. You can not enter a village without Chief permission. Beside the fact you will most likely get lost if without a guide!!!
.... I think you have too much planned for day 1 & 2!
Day 1- arrive 8.30am... By the time you get out of customs & get rental car, you'll be leaving airport at about 11am... Nadi-Navala is about 2.5hr drive... Navala-Natadola (thru Nadi) is about 3.5hr drive ... This hasn't allowed time for you to look at anything and it will already be about 5pm... You do not want to be driving in the dark if you have never driven here before! The main road between Nadi-Suva doesn't have street lights most of the way. I have been living & driving in Fiji for 15 months and I wouldn't do the drive at night (even though I know the roads) as there are too many pot holes & unmarked speed humps so can be dangerous.. More so if you have never done the drive before.
Day 2- Beqa island will take up half a day... Pac Harbour-Suva is about 1hr drive... Suva-Nadi is about 3hr drive... So again not much time to look at things if avoiding night driving.
... I would cut out some things in Day 1+2 or add another day and spread it out over 3 days.
Enjoy your holiday! :)

Also- Most shops close on Sundays... So do not visit Suva or Sigatoka on a Sunday as everything will be closed (except restaurants)

Thank you to all of you, I have finally done a new itinerary

1. Day: Arrival at 8.20am at Nadi Airport: Trip with rental car to Pacific Harbour stoping in Natadola Beach, Sigatoka, Korolevu, Suva (sleep in Pacific Harbour)

2. Day: Shark diving in Beqa Lagoon. Come Back to Nadi (sleep in Denarau or Nadi)

3. Day: Boat transfer to Paradise Cove (9.00am)

4. Day: Paradise Cove (diving, beaching, snorkeling)

5. Day. Paradise Cove ...

6 Day. Paradise Cove - Boat to Denarau (16.30) (sleep in Denarau or Nadi)

1. Day. Trip to Mamaluca

I could go to Paradise Cove my arrival day but I should have to take the boat transfer at 2.00pm, arriving there at 3.30, too late enjoy this day in the island.

I finally avoid going to Navala, it is too long trip, the road is not good (the river can floods, I have to rent an expensive 4x4 only to go there, the opinions about Navala and the treatment of the native people there in tripadvisor do not encourage to go there.

Now my questions are:

1. Is it better to lodge in Denarau or in Nadi? Some nice middle price place to stay? I have seen "The terraces", it sounds good.

2. I have found good rates to rent a car in Thrifty, some other option?

3. Some good place to lodge in Pacific Harbour?

4. Some nice places to stop in my trip from Nadi to Suva

5. Is it posible to go to Colo-i-Suva forest park with normal car? I have read that it could be dangerous because there are not guards nor rangers in the park.

6. I have though to swap Mamalucas Trip for 1 day more in Paradise Cove. Some opinion?

Thank you very much for any help.

Colo-i-Suva is definitely reachable by car, even public buses go there.
I found hiking there accompanied by another tourist fine, trails are clear and we had no security issues.

The Sigatoka Sand Dunes NP is probably the most interesting stopover between Nadi and Suva, but I also found the ruins of the Tongan fort a bit inland interesting and pleasant.

I'd say the Mamanucas are a good daytrip.
Select one of the resort islands furthest out, like Castaway or Mana, and you will see a lot of other islands on the way there and back.
Better still would be going all the way to stunning, uninhabited Monoriki (of Tom Hanks' Castaway movie fame).